Manipur boy becomes youngest Indian to scale Mt Everest

Manipur’s class XI student Nameirakpam Chingkheinganba becomes the youngest Indian to conquer Mt Everest as of now, according to Imphal based Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association(MMTA).

“This has been confirmed by the Nepal authority”, claims Administrative officer M Kumar of MMTA. "We couldn’t confirm it when Chingkheinganba scales the world’s highest peak on the particular day as the day was holiday in Nepal.”

Student of Kanan Devi memorial school in Imphal, Chingkheinganba who scaled the highest peak(29,029ft)along with Anshu Jamsenpa of Arunachal Pradesh,David Zohmangaiha of Mizoram and Tarun Saikia of Assam,Wangsuk Myrthong of Meghalaya besides Kazi Sherpa of Sikkim as part of 1st North East Indian top of the world Mt Everest expedition 2013 on May 18 morning, was 16 years 7 months and 11 days when he made the summit. He was born on October 10,1996.

Earlier the youngest Indian to climb Mt Everest was Arjun Vajpai(16 year 11 month 18 days)of New Delhi.His date of birth is June 9,1996.He broke the record set by Krishna Patil of Maharashtra who climbed the summit at the age of 19,on May 22,2010.

Manipuri boy was among the 10 climbers out of 13 who made history by scaling the highest peak during the two month long expedition held under the aegis of MMTA with financial support from North eastern council and Manipur government, from May 17-19.The other successful climbers are P Mohan,N Bidyapati(Manipur), Anand Gurung,Kazi Sherpa(Sikkim) and Nima Lama(Arunachal Pradesh).

In another development, another climber Manish Deka of Assam who couldn’t make in the previous attempt,is planning to scale the Mt Everest within May 25,MMTA functionary added. “Manish has already started his journey for the base camp 1(20,014ft)today”.

Meanwhile acknowledging their success, Manipur government announced to give Rs 10 lakhs each to the team leader of the recent expedition and five individuals including Chingkheinganba who scales the highest peak of the world.Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh chaired cabinet meeting has also taken a decision in this regard last evening.